the sinking GAP

The GAP corp is in trouble. I have read that it has been compared to the sinking of the titanic. Absurd? I think so.

There are still assets to this company. To write it off is a mistake.

That GAP may be the titanic. But it has yet to hit an iceberg. There is still time!

Here's what GAP management needs to do. First, they need to innovate. Get local and regional designers to develop clothing lines for different regions of the country. Get a NY local designer for the North East. Someone unknown, just out of school, but has promise. Then get a southeast designer...a southwest designer...a northwest designer. Get a local 'feel' throughout the product line for the company. The company needs to get innovative with American design. PUSH Americana! The only way GAP is going to survive is to innovate. And at the same time they diversify. If one design fails for the company the other designs will provide a certain degree of 'insurance'.

Make a move in the concept of fair rights and local rights for garment workers. If the Titanic is sinking it makes sense for management to at least make sure the workers on the ship are eating well.

microban door handle

I am surprised microban does not offer an anti-microbial door handle for public restrooms in restaurants, airports, malls, etc. Many people are very concerned about contamination following washing their hands and use a paper towel to open the door. Either automatic doors and/or anti-microbial door handles would help alleviate this concern. The door handle approach would likely be cheaper.

traffic regulation technology

This is a bit far reaching, but interesting and I am sure underdevelopment, nonetheless:

Provide feedback and communication between vehicles on the freeway. Each car knows where each car is. It can utilize GPS as well as range finding technology such that a car maintains a known distance from the car in front of it which maintains a safe distance with the car in front of it and etc. This would obviously just work in the far left (speed) land. Would improve efficiency and reduce accidents given the technology is proven.

for the pool owner with everything

For the man or woman that has everything, including a pool, a love of 'gizmos' and is a data hound.

A small, floating thermometer that wireless transmits temperature data to a stand alone monitor (much like the weather monitors popular today) or to a computer which can track the temperature data over time.

The floating monitoring device could also have additional sensors to monitor pool water such as salinity, chlorine, pH, turbidity, etc. added over time. The device will have a solar panel on the top and have rechargeable battery, obviously too low of a voltage to produce any injuries.

collapsable food storage containers

Here is a very simple and basic idea. I am surprised it has not been implemented yet.

Essentially combine tupperware type food storage container with zip-lock bags. When empty the container can be collapsed.

These containers would hold solid food, but liquids as well. They will have a wide mouth for easy cleaning. Eventually, the container will be disposed of, but it is good for a dozen or so uses.

The cap will be designed to act as a vent for when heating in the microwave. Additionally, the customer can buy different colored caps to denote different stored items.

business summarized

Very inexpensive service to start up.

A blog that summarized business week, the wall street journal, investors business daily, forbes magazine, etc. The highlights broken down by investments, markets, insights and trends in each of the publications and summarized. A cliff notes for business publications. Free service paid for by advertisements. As an added service, common denomenators between the publications can be highlighted. For instance, if business week and forbes both recommend a stock, this would be pointed out to the reader.

XM radio

XM Radio has its work cut out for it. It has numerous competitors and an industry that is not fully proven and whose future is uncertain. Currently, XM radio has competition from the other satellite radio station, Sirius. It also has to compete with the traditional radio format, MP3 players and recorded music. When WiMAX, WiFi with broadband capability, is widely release XM will have an additional competitor.

I think the future does not look bright for either of the satellite radio companies, and they must figure a way to market themselves to ensure survival.

I do not think advertising for additional revenue is a wise choice. Part of the reason people choose them is the lack of sponsors. If they have sponsors, they will have lost a competitive advantage of traditional radio.

Adding satellite radio capability to airlines is a wise move. They need to continue to develop partnerships. If they for instance, could permit recording of songs (or even certain song) off their players directly to MP3 format then they would evolve a place for themselves in the future. Even if the song 'expired' off the player in a certain amount of time they would gain market share I believe.

XM could implement this concept with joining with one of the 'underdog' MP3 manufacturers. The device could both receive XM Radio, but also record the music. The would obviously require 'buy in' from the music industry. Setting a digital rights time limit may alleviate some 'angst' from the music labels. Special live broadcasts that could be recorded for a fee would also be an advantage.